#98 Team News and Rumors(NOTE: some older links may not work)

Phil Parsons back to Ford: Phil Parsons Racing has switched back to Ford for the 2015 season after running Chevy in 2014. Phoenix Construction will be featured on the #98 Ford that Josh Wise will drive at Daytona in an attempt to make the Daytona 500. See images of the car on the #98 Team Schemes page.(2-13-2015)

Johnson, Wise, Cassill complete triathlon: The casual fan probably missed him. He emerged from the ocean after a long swim around 7:30am wearing a light blue cap and a wet suit. Two-and-a-half hours later, he finished a bike ride on Vanderbilt Beach Road, near the shore, with a dark helmet and sunglasses. And when the race had run its course, at the finish line, he looked like everyone else looked: exhausted. Competing in the HITS Triathlon Series in Naples, Florida on Saturday, Jimmie Johnson mostly kept his head down. To spectators, Johnson may have been just another swimmer, biker and runner, perhaps distinguishable by his close-kept beard or the noticeable bags under his eyes. No matter the awareness of the fans, this was a significant day for Johnson. For the first time, he completed a half triathlon - a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run. He finished in 4 hours and 42 minutes, in 15th place among the men [and 2nd in his age group]. In a brief post-race interview with the Daily News, Johnson said he wanted to finish about 10 minutes faster, but he missed his first turn during his bike ride and pedaled about a mile in the wrong direction.
Two of Johnson's friends and fellow NASCAR drivers, Josh Wise and Landon Cassill, did the half-triathlon with Johnson. Colleen Cassill, Landon's mother, said the drivers' all participated because "they're competitive people all the way around."(Naples Daily News)
Josh Wise finished in 4:26:34, good enough for 1st in his age ground and 6th overall. Cassill completed the race in 4:30:13, 9th place overall and first in his age group.(1-11-2015)

Wise will return to #98 team: After competing in 35 Sprint Cup races for Phil Parsons Racing in 2014, Josh Wise will return to the driver's seat for the team in 2015. Wise, who is in his first season with Phil Parsons Racing, finished 36th in the final point standings. Finishing on the lead lap four times, Wise's best finish of 2014, a 20th place effort, came at Talladega in May. Wise talked about how he wants to continue driving for the single-car operation. "This is where I plan to be," he said. "I think that [co-owner] Phil [Parsons], myself, we all came into this this year knowing that we wanted to work hard and build this thing from the ground up." Phil Parsons said he's grateful for the team's backing from different sponsors this year. Parsons hopes 2015 can attract more sponsorship, but said the off-season will be a busy time. "We'll be in a building mode," he said. "People don't realize you don't have quite the travel that you have during the season, obviously, but you work just as hard-probably more hours during the off-season, building new cars, repairing cars, putting new bodies on cars, things like that."(The Racing Experts)(12-2-2014)

Dogecoin and reddit return at Talladega: Dogecoin and reddit will partner with Phil Parsons Racing for the final time this season at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday afternoon. The partnership was made possible by funding from t-shirt sales after the team experienced an overwhelming demand for the shirts worn by the Phil Parsons Racing crew earlier this season. With presales reaching 6500 shirts in just 10 days, a partnership with Dogecoin and reddit was confirmed for the #98 Ford Fusion driven by Josh Wise at Talladega Superspeedway. Now, the team looks to extend both the partnership and creative fundraising into the 2015 race season. Earlier this week, the website TheDogeCar.com launched to share the story of the historical crowd funding effort that brought this sponsorship to life. Additionally, it also offers a new selection of merchandise to carry this partnership into the 2015 NASCAR race season. Available items include an "official Dogecar sponsorship coin" minted by Provident Metals, 2015 DogeCrew t-shirts, hoodies, and crew shirts. Preorders will be accepted through November 15, 2014, with the proceeds being applied to the 2015 race season. This weekend, the No. 98 Dogecoin / reddit Ford Fusion will have a slightly different look than it has in past weeks. Included in the paint scheme will be the word "dogecoin" written in Chinese characters to symbolize its status as a worldwide currency, and help incorporate the entire Dogecoin community on a worldwide scale. Earlier this year, reddit user and tech fan Denis Pavel noticed a plain black car with a driver he felt 'raced the wheels off the car' during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The lack of sponsorship caused Pavel to think of some of the significant fundraisers that he's witnessed on the reddit platform, and drove the 16-year-old to utilize the Dogecoin currency to raise sponsorship funds for Wise. Setting and exceeding their goal within the opening week, Dogecoin and reddit partnered with Phil Parsons Racing for the spring race at Talladega Superspeedway, the Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and now again this fall at Talladega Superspeedway.(Phil Parsons Racing), see an image of the car on the #98 team paint schemes page.(10-15-2014)

New sponsor on the #98 at Kansas: Westsidevapor and Vapor Station are sponsoring the #98 Phil Parsons Racing Ford of Josh Wise at Kansas (Vapor Station Facebook). See an image of the scheme on the #98 Team Schemes page.(10-1-2014)

#98 Phil Parsons Racing picks up sponsor: Provident Metals has signed a multiple race sponsorship agreement with Phil Parsons Racing making them the primary sponsor for Josh Wise and his #98 car. The agreement will span four races from August through November, finishing off the 2014 sponsorship in Provident's home state of Texas. "The guys from Provident Metals arrived in Daytona to sign the agreement with monster boxes full of Zombucks silver rounds to cover their deposit," said Phil Parsons, owner of Phil Parsons Racing. "That was an exciting exchange and a first for us. We're thrilled to have them as part of our team. The creative team at Provident Metals is hard at work and will debut the first of four exciting paint schemes next month in Bristol, TN. Provident Metals will be prominently featured on the #98 car during the following races: Bristol in August, Richmond in September, Charlotte in October and Texas in November.(Provident Metals)(7-10-2014), see an image of the scheme on the #98 Team Schemes page.(8-20-2014)

Harvick's team penalized, #98 team warned after Watkins Glen: The #4 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has been penalized due to a rules infraction committed during the Aug. 10 race at Watkins Glen International. The infraction is a P3 level penalty and is outlined in Section 12-4.3 of the 2014 rule book:
" A. Violation examples could include but are not limited to:
o 1(c): Unapproved added weight and/or weight affixed improperly (e.g. Unapproved added weight (size and material); unapproved added weight location, but not of a nature rising to a higher numbered penalty.
The infraction violates the following sections in the rule book:
" 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing;
" 20-2.3: Added car weight
o A. Any weight added to the car must be bolted inside the body shell in an approved weight container and in a position acceptable to NASCAR officials
o Added weight must be in block form of not less than five pound blocks (no pellets) and painted white with the car number or team identification permanently legible on it.
As a result of this violation, crew chief Rodney Childers has been fined $25,000.
Per Section 12-4.1 of the NASCAR rule book, a Warning has been issued to the #98 team for an infraction occurring on Aug. 8. The infraction was:
" 20-16.6: Fuel filler cans
o G. When adding or removing fuel to/from the car in the garage area, the car must be outside the garage structure.
Multiple warnings issued to the same vehicle number/member within a given time period will result in one or more penalties in accordance to Section 12-4.1 of the rule book.(NASCAR)(8-13-2014)

#98 Phil Parsons Racing picks up sponsor: Provident Metals has signed a multiple race sponsorship agreement with Phil Parsons Racing making them the primary sponsor for Josh Wise and his #98 car. The agreement will span four races from August through November, finishing off the 2014 sponsorship in Provident's home state of Texas. "The guys from Provident Metals arrived in Daytona to sign the agreement with monster boxes full of Zombucks silver rounds to cover their deposit," said Phil Parsons, owner of Phil Parsons Racing. "That was an exciting exchange and a first for us. We're thrilled to have them as part of our team. The creative team at Provident Metals is hard at work and will debut the first of four exciting paint schemes next month in Bristol, TN. Provident Metals will be prominently featured on the #98 car during the following races: Bristol in August, Richmond in September, Charlotte in October and Texas in November.(Provident Metals)(7-10-2014)

Florida gubernatorial candidate on the #98 at Daytona UPDATES: Given how frugal [Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate] Charlie Crist has tended to be with his campaign money, this surprised us, even knowing that adviser Steve Schale is a racing buff: His campaign is sponsoring [#98 Phil Parsons Racing] Ford in the Coke Zero 400. These sponsorships can cost as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars. "The campaign spent no money on this and the cost of wrapping the car was an in kind donation from a supporter who is a big NASCAR fan," said campaign spokesman Brendan Gilfillian. The car is owned by Mike Curb, Republican former California lieutenant governor and record company executive who surely knows Crist's long time political pal, Mitch Bainwol, the former head of the Recording Industry Association of America. The driver is John Wise.(Miami Herald)(7-1-2014)UPDATE: A political ad that created a bit of a firestorm has been removed from the Phil Parsons Racing car that will compete Saturday in the Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Phil Parsons said Friday morning he did not remove the "Charlie Crist for Florida" stickers from his car because of the Republican Party of Florida complaint but out of respect to team business partner Mike Curb, a Republican and former lieutenant governor of California. Curb is the listed owner of the car on NASCAR entry lists and his Curb Records logos are on the team equipment. "I did it out of respect to Mike Curb, who is a staunch Republican and he didn't feel comfortable and he's been a huge supporter and a partner to us from the very start," Parsons said in the garage as the car was going through technical inspection. Parsons said he had been paid by a supporter of Crist's to put the Crist stickers on the #98 car driven by Josh Wise, who gained national notoriety when he won the fan vote into the Sprint All-Star Race in May thanks to the support of the Dogecoin community on Reddit. The underfunded team will return the money.(Sporting News)7-4-2014)UPDATE 2: NASCAR lists Mike Curb as the car's owner, but Curb said he has an agreement with Phil Parsons, a former NASCAR driver and now a team owner. In the agreement, Parsons owns and operates the car, and Curb is listed as the entrant with NASCAR. Curb said he doesn't control sponsorships and only learned Wednesday night Crist's name would be on the car. As a co-sponsor of the #98 car, Curb has an ad on the car for his recording artist Lee Brice, a country music performer who is providing the pre-race entertainment Saturday. "I don't want to get Lee Brice involved in Florida politics," Curb said. James Finch, a Panama City businessman who owns a construction company, said he brokered the deal with his friend Parsons, who could not be reached for comment Thursday night. Frustrated by Scott's seemingly endless supply of campaign cash and negative television ads directed at Crist, he said he arranged to pay about $25,000 to Parsons for the sponsorship. "Charlie is a friend of mine," said Finch, who owned a racing team until late 2013. "Phil is a friend of mine. I was helping out both of them. Charlie Crist hasn't paid anything for the car. It was all my idea."(Daytona Beach News-Journal)(7-4-2014)

#98 to feature Dogecoin at Sonoma: from #98 Phil Parsons Racing's driver Josh Wise: "First off, I have some amazing news! We have decided to run the dogecar at Sonoma in 2 weeks (June 22nd)! We are doing this because you all bought more shirts than we needed for Talladega (Oct 19th). So it's our thank you and our way to pass along your additional support towards actually getting the dogecar on track again. Since it is not really a fully funded race, it will not be the "full wrap" but it will incorporate much of the original design. It will look cool. We have decided to run a multi-sub car at some point later in the season. We are not sure the process on selecting which subs will be a part of this, but basically the car will be divided into 3-4 sections and we will do a paint design contest and have some fun with it. Dogecoin will be grandfathered into this paint scheme and promotion."(Reddit.cin/Dogecoin), of note, Wise is driving a Ford at Pocono.(6-6-2014)

iRacing forms partnership with Phil Parsons Racing: Typically recognized as an 'underdog' in NASCAR, Phil Parsons Racing and driver Josh Wise have been able to break the stereotypical mold this year with the support of the online community. With successful crowd sourcing efforts on reddit behind funding for three primary race sponsorships of the #98 Chevy SS and the election of Wise into the Sprint All-Star race, Phil Parsons Racing has formed another internet-based partnership. This time, the "little team that could" will partner with the world's premier motorsports racing simulation, iRacing. From May 27, 2014 through June 30, 2014, both new and current iRacing subscribers will have the opportunity to support Wise and Phil Parsons Racing through select purchases on the online racing simulation site.(Phil Parsons Racing), see an image of the car on the #98 team paint schemes page.(5-28-2014)

Dogecoin and reddit to sponsor the #98 and Wise at Talladega: One week after voting NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Josh Wise and the #98 Phil Parsons Racing team into the All-Star Race, the Dogecoin and reddit communities kicked off another collective effort in support of Wise's NASCAR team. This time, the group focused on primary sponsorship for a second Sprint Cup Series race. With their fundraising goals met in less than a week, Dogecoin and reddit will again sponsor Wise's #98 Ford Fusion at Talladega Superspeedway on October 19.
"I can't begin to explain how awesome this partnership with Dogecoin and reddit has been for our team at Phil Parsons Racing," commented Wise. "Like I said before, we're just a small team. When we were initially approached with this idea, we never expected it to get as big as it has become. We've been able to accomplish some pretty amazing things with the help of the Dogecoin and reddit communities. It means so much to us to have all that support. We're working as hard as we can, to do the best job that we possibly can, each and every week."
With widespread demand for the Dogecoin shirts worn by the Phil Parsons Racing team throughout the Talladega Superspeedway and Sprint All-Star race weekends, the team agreed to not only produce similar t-shirts, but also to utilize the proceeds of the sales for another primary race sponsorship. Needing to sell at least 5,000 t-shirts, they were able to meet their goal within just six days to confirm sponsorship for the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway later this year.
"We're really excited to expand our partnership with Dogecoin and reddit," commented team owner Phil Parsons. "With all of the support we received for the All-Star Race and the number of people asking about apparel, it made sense to have t-shirts produced and turn it into an opportunity to fund a second race. We're fortunate that Denis Pavel noticed Josh while watching the Bristol race on television. The relationship has opened some great opportunities and has helped get Phil Parsons Racing's name out."
Earlier this year, reddit user and tech fan Denis Pavel noticed a plain black car with a driver he felt 'raced the wheels off the car' during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The lack of sponsorship caused Pavel to think of some of the significant fundraisers that he's witnessed on the reddit platform, and drove the 16-year-old to utilize the Dogecoin currency to raise sponsorship funds for Wise. Setting and exceeding their goal within the opening week, Dogecoin and reddit partnered with Phil Parsons Racing for the May race at Talladega Superspeedway.(Phil Parsons Racing)(5-22-2014)

Dogecoin/Reddit now targeting the Most Popular Driver award? UPDATES: Now that a pair of websites found a loophole to gain an advantage in the voting for last week's Sprint All-Star race, they now have set their goals for a loftier goal - taking down Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the Most Popular Driver award. Dogecoin and reddit.com, fresh off a stunning victory that earned Josh Wish a spot in the sport's all-star race last Saturday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, already are laying out plans to flood the internet with votes for a driver who's never had a top-10 finish in 79-career starts. A large group of fans were able to affect the vote - FOX Sports reported one fan voted as many as 82,000 times - to get a starting spot in the all-star race. reddit.com, it boasted of being able to get its "shibes" to get Wise 98,000 votes in the final 11 hours of the balloting. The same web site now wants Wise to beat Earnhardt, who's won the most popular vote for 11 consecutive years. According to reddit.com, Wise supports the project. The voting format for the most popular driver award was posted on the web site, with suggestions of how to beat the intended system again.(Florida Times Union), voting for the Most Popular Driver award has not started yet. It was announced in March 2014 that voting would start sometime in May 2014.BUT Reddit.com is the largest online community on the planet, and hardly qualifies as a "small fan base." Reddit and Dogecoin members did not engage in "manipulation," they simply worked harder - and smarter - than any other group. They mobilized their fan base in a way that was both impressive and 100-percent legal.(Godfather Motorsports)ANDDogecoin and Reddit are selling #98 Dogecoin tshirts in which the proceeds from the campaign will be put towards sponsorship of #98-Josh Wise in the Fall Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway in October. They have already reached their goal of 5,000 tshirts to do the sponsorship.(5-21-2014)

Clint Bowyer wins the Sprint Showdown #15-Clint Bowyer won the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and will transfer to the Sprint All-Star Race. #47-A.J. Allmendinger finished 2nd and will also transfer. #98-Josh Wise, who finished 18th, won the Sprint Fan Vote and will transfer to the All-Star race.
#13-Mears finished third followed by #9-Ambrose, #43-Almirola, #42-Larson, #15-Bowyer, #17-Stenhouse Jr., #3-Dillon, #27-Menard and #10-Patrick.
The Average Speed was 117.711mph. There were 4 lead changes among 3 drivers and 2 cautions for 3 laps.
See results and links on the 2014 All-Star Race Page.(5-16-2014)

Dogecoin and Reddit Partner with Phil Parsons Racing for Talladega: In a partnership effort between Dogecoin and Reddit, the #98 Ford Fusion of Phil Parsons Racing will have a new look at Talladega. Earlier this year, Reddit user and tech fan Denis Pavel noticed a plain black car with a driver he felt 'raced the wheels off the car' during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The lack of sponsorship caused Pavel to think of some of the significant fundraisers that he's witnessed on the Reddit platform.
"I didn't really know much about Dogecoin or Reddit when Denis Pavel initially reached out to us about the race at Talladega Superspeedway," commented Parsons. "He watched a race on television and was excited about what he saw from Josh Wise and our team. We were able to connect on Twitter and everything took off from there-it's amazing how social media allows sports fans to actually connect to us, and that it would allow something like this to come together. As far as I know, this is the first online effort like this that's been able to fund sponsorship for a NASCAR team, so it's pretty cool to be a part of it."
"I knew that Dogecoin had done some significant fundraisers, like sending the Jamaican bobsled team to the Olympics," Pavel said. "I was thinking what kind of response I would get if I did ask the (Reddit) community about sponsoring a Sprint Cup car. They were all with it."
Familiar with the digital currency Dogecoin, the 16-year-old Pavel from Niles, Ill., decided to utilize the currency to raise sponsorship funds for driver Josh Wise and the #98 Ford Fusion team. Exceeding their initial goal by 10% within the opening week, Dogecoin and Reddit were able to partner with Phil Parsons Racing for the Sprint Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway.
"We are all about fun and goofiness," commented Ben Doernberg, board member at the Dogecoin Foundation. "At the same time, we want to make sure that digital currency is really giving back to the world. We do feel like this is a technology that can make the world a better place, and we want to put that into practice by doing fundraisers."
To date, this marks the first fundraising effort through Dogecoin and Reddit to sponsor a NASCAR race team. In addition to raising funds online, the team also took to the internet allowing Reddit users to vote on a paint scheme for Sunday's event. "The more we've walked through this fundraising effort, it has really been special to us," commented Wise. "People are noticing our effort. We're a tiny little team with seven or eight employees. The amount of support we're getting from the Reddit community ... we're just trying to do the best job we can."(Phil Parsons Racing), see images of the scheme/car on the #98 Team Schemes page.(5-1-2014)

Fans raise money to sponsor Wise at Talladega: NASCAR and sponsorship run hand-in-hand. The high costs of racing a car means that wrapping it in corporate logos is of vital importance. What happens when you don't have a sponsor? You can try and do as best you can, or you can let the internet help you. The folks at r/dogecoin discovered that Josh Wise and the #98 car were without a sponsor. They made it their mission to raise the $55,000 needed to cover his car in their beloved dogecoin for one race. Now they've met that goal and the aim is to wrap the #98 for Talladega.
"Dogecoin" is one of several peer-to-peer cryptocurrencies, much like bitcoin. The main distinction is that dogecoin is based on and embraces the popular "doge" meme. One dogecoin is worth a fraction of one cent. This isn't the first fundraising spearheaded by the dogecoin community. Previously they've sent the Jamaican bobsled team to Sochi, raised money to supply needy families with service animals and gathered $30,000 to help supply clean water to Kenya.
A funding page was set up to accept dogecoin donations and regular, boring monetary offerings. It certainly helped that the founder of a cyrptocurrency trading site accidentally donated 22 million coins (just over $15,000 worth). Roughly 1,200 people helped reach the goal of 67,500,000 dogecoins. Fundraising organizer Kevin Dusenberry has told SBNation.com that the car will run in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega on May 4.(SB Nation)(3-26-2014)

Phil Parsons Racing gets Auto Club sponsor: Trench Shoring Company, a leader within the construction industry that provides customers the finest shoring equipment and services, will extend their marketing reach through a strategic partnership with Phil Parsons Racing and driver Josh Wise. The company will serve as the primary sponsor on Wise's #98 Chevy for this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. This is Trench Shoring Company's second outing with Phil Parsons Racing this season. The Corona, Calif.-based company also served as an associate sponsor for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Las Vegas. Trench Shoring Company has the largest inventory of shoring equipment within Southern California and Southern Nevada.(Phil Parsons Racing), see an image of the car on the #98 team paint schemes page.(3-21-2014)

#98 team gets sponsor for Las Vegas: the #98 Chevy of Phil Parsons Racing will have sponsorship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as Ambient Edge [HVAC] will adorn the car driven by Josh Wise. See an image of the scheme on the #98 Team Schemes page.(2-8-2013)

#98 Team Owner Mike Curb honored: Without the support of longtime music mogul Mike Curb, the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame might never have called Kannapolis home. During a brief presentation on Dec. 16 in the city's meeting room at the Kannapolis Train Station, the city of Kannapolis honored Curb for his philanthropy and his contributions to music, motorsports and the growth of the city. The Hall of Fame was incorporated by Doug Croft in Thomasville on May 26, 1994. Its primary goals are to recognize, promote and commemorate the state's musical heritage. Curb is the owner of Curb Records. It's the nation's leading country music label, with stars that include Tim McGraw, The Bellamy Brothers and Lee Brice, whose recording of "I Drive Your Truck" was named the Country Music Association's 2013 Song of the Year. He also has given the city of Kannapolis the Curb Museum for Music and Motorsports, which combines two of his greatest passions.(Charlotte Observer), Curb is currently part-owner of the #98 Phil Parsons team and has two wins as a team owner for Richard Petty in 1984.(12-31-2013)

Wise to drive for Phil Parsons: Phil Parsons Racing announces that Josh Wise will join the team for the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. In addition to welcoming Wise to the team, PPR will switch manufacturers and become a Chevy team, with Wise piloting the #98 Chevy SS next year. PPR competed in its first NSCS race in 2012 and earned their best finish in the 2013 Daytona 500. PPR is owned by former NASCAR driver Phil Parsons. Parsons competed in nearly 500 races among the NSCS and NASCAR Nationwide Series, finding success in both series and excelling at some of NASCAR's most famous tracks, including wins at Talladega Superspeedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. After stepping away from the driver's seat, Parsons moved into the broadcasting world and has worked as a NASCAR analyst for FOX Sports since 2003. Wise has 69 starts in NASCAR's top series, with his best start and finish both coming at Talladega Superspeedway in 2013. In addition to his NSCS experience, Wise also has several years of experience in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Prior to coming to NASCAR, the Riverside, Calif. native earned numerous championships in the open-wheel ranks, where he started his professional racing career. Wise makes the move to PPR after racing for Front Row Motorsports the past two seasons. PPR continues to look for marketing partners for the 2014 NSCS season.(Spire Sports + Entertainment)(12-4-2013)

Wise completes Ironman: Josh Wise competed in the Ironman Cozumel on Sunday. A complete Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a full (26.2 mile) marathon. His total time was 11 hours and 55 seconds, placing him 427th overall and 65 in his division. More than 2500 people started the event. Wise completed a half Ironman in Wisconsin back in July.(12-2-2013)

Wise leaves Front Row Motorsports UPDATE: Front Row Motorsports posted the following message to their Facebook page Tuesday morning, "Because a lot of you have been asking about the status of the #35 car and Josh Wise, we wanted to give you an update. Josh has accepted an offer to drive for another team in 2014, and we absolutely wish him the best in that new role. He's been a good team member and we've appreciated his contributions over the past two seasons. We do plan to continue running the #35 car in 2014, although the program for that car is still in development. It is our expectation to use more than one driver in that role, and we are currently looking at driver candidates and potential partners to help fund and finalize that program."(11-26-2013)UPDATE: Josh Wise tweeted Tuesday morning, "Super thankful for @FrontRowNASCAR and my two years there! Was time to make a change and I'm really excited about 2014! I will keep you all posted on my 2014 plans in the coming days".(11-27-2013)

McDowell to drive for Leavine Family Racing in 2014: Leavine Family Racing announced that Michael McDowell will drive the team's #95 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry in 2014. The announcement was made at Texas Motor Speedway - the team's home track, where the Glendale, Arizona native signed a single-year deal to drive for Leavine Family Racing. McDowell will make his debut when the team fields an entry for the February season-opening race at the 56th annual DAYTONA 500 at the Daytona International Speedway. "This is an extremely good opportunity for me," said McDowell, who has worked with the Leavine Family Racing Sprint Cup team before, at this season's Sprint All-Star race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. "Bob and I first started talking about the possibilities months ago. I'm happy to be a part of this organization." Vice president of marketing and partnerships Jeremy Lange said the goal of the organization is to run one full-time team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in addition to competing in select Nationwide Series races in the #95 car. Leavine Family Racing's 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule will be released at a later date.(Leavine Family Racing)(10-28-2013)

Pray For Your Pastor on the #98:In honor of clergy appreciation month Michael McDowell will be displaying a reminder to Pray For Your Pastor this week in Martinsville. The message is being presented by Energize Ministries of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Encouragement and providing better care for our pastors is what Energize Ministries is all about. "Encouragement is something we all need," said McDowell. "Pastors are not super human; they need our prayers and encouragement just like anyone else. Energize Ministries does a great job of reminding people of that and helping others discover simple and practical ways to support their pastors. It's an honor for me to help spread the Pray For Your Pastor reminder this weekend." Energize Ministries will be on tour next year with a national Pray For Your Pastor campaign.(Breaking Limits)(10-26-2013)

Victory Junction featured on the #98 at Bristol: The Victory Junction logo will don the hood of the #98 Ford. The #98 Phil Parsons Racing Ford driven by Michael McDowell will feature the Victory Junction colors this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway in celebration of the camp's 10th summer of enriching the lives of chronically ill children. NASCAR teams visited every week during summer camp.... Each summer, campers look forward to the visits from pit crew members who are invited to display their talent (while wearing silly hats and boas) by performing pit stops and allowing campers the opportunity to man the air guns and change tires themselves. NASCARnival, a Victory Junction tradition, occurs every Tuesday through the summer and is an evening of fun as Victory Circle transforms into a carnival atmosphere filled with hot air balloon rides, dunk tanks, dance parties and cotton candy. For more information or to donate, visit www.victoryjunction.org.(Phil Parsons Racing), see an image of the scheme on the #98 Team Schemes page.(8-23-2013)

Speed skipping All-Star race, will race in Spain: It's been a great month for Scott Speed in the Ford Racing world. After driving the OlsbergsMSE Fiesta 'Star Car' to a gold medal in his Global Rallycross debut at X Games Brazil on Apr. 21, he finished a season-best ninth in his #95 Leavine Family Racing Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega on May 5. Speed will be looking to continue his hot streak this week as he misses the annual Sprint All-Star Weekend and travels to Spain for X Games Barcelona.(see interview at Ford Racing), Michael McDowell will drive the #95 Leavine Family Racing Ford in the Sprint Showdown.(5-15-2013)

Curb Records Featuring the Bobby Bones Show to Sponsor McDowell at Talladega: Joining Michael McDowell at Talladega Superspeedway will be Curb Records featuring the Bobby Bones Show, which will serve as primary sponsor on his #98 Phil Parsons Racing Ford Fusion. The Bobby Bones Show is a multiple award winning country music radio show based in Austin, Texas, on 96.7 KISS FM that is syndicated across the United States. The show is broadcast live weekday mornings from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. CT. "I can't wait to go racing at Talladega," McDowell said. "Our team had such a good run at Daytona and that has us really excited about this week. We know that we're capable of having a great run. We just have to put all of the pieces together. Fortunately one of the biggest pieces is already in place. We got Curb Records Featuring the Bobby Bones Show as a partner for the race. We're thrilled to have them on our car and will do our best to give them a good ride." McDowell will be at the helm of the same car he piloted to a top-10 finish at Daytona. The car took the checkered flag at Daytona without a scratch on it.(Phil Parsons Racing), see an image of the scheme on the #98 Team Schemes page.(5-2-2013)

#98 team still searching for sponsorship: Interviewed by Frontstretch, #98-Michael McDowell discussed the team's sponsorship status:Bowles: You guys announced a sponsor for Vegas, but it appeared you pulled it in early. Where are you at in terms of races you'll run the distance?McDowell: It is week by week. We have one more race for Curb, we have one more race for K-LOVE. We're working on lots of deals, but really right now we have two more races and that's it. Sponsorship is key to whether or not we're able to run, and run competitively. Like I said, we're constantly working on it. It's not something where we're sitting back and waiting for a deal to show up. We're having meetings every week with potential sponsors and it's just a hard sell right now. It's hard to get things rolling. So, we'll see what happens, but the goal for us, like in years past, is stay around, stay relevant and when things start to move and shake, we'll be in a good position.(Frontstretch)(3-14-2013)

McDowell gets Vegas Sponsor: Michael McDowell will carry a new primary sponsor aboard the #98 Phil Parsons Racing Ford at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. McDowell will sport the colors of Ambient Edge, an air conditioning, heating and refrigeration company, on his Fusion as part of a one-race partnership in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 400. It is the organization's first NASCAR sponsorship. Ambient Edge provides new equipment sales and installation, 24-hour repair and service on all major brands of heating and air conditioning equipment, custom sheet metal fabrication, duct design and building load calculations. They service the Las Vegas, Henderson, Laughlin, Kingman, Lake Havasu, and Bullhead City areas. McDowell has three Cup Series starts and two Nationwide Series starts at Las Vegas. His best performance came in the 2009 Nationwide race, which he finished in sixth place.(Breaking Limits/Phil Parsons Racing), see an image of the car on the #98 team paint schemes page.(3-6-2013)

#98 Phil Parsons Racing skips Phoenix: the #98 Phil Parsons Racing Ford entry has withdrawn from the Subway Fresh Fit 500 Sprint CUp Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, per driver Michael McDowell's Twitter: "Unfortunately @PPR98 will not be in Phoenix this weekend. We have fallen behind building new Gen6 cars and will be back on track in Vegas."(2-27-2013)

#98 features Victory Junction on decklid:Victory Junction, founded by NASCAR's Petty family, is gearing up for its 10th summer of serving chronically ill children from across the country. To honor this milestone, Phil Parsons Racing is featuring the camp's 'Celebrating 10 Empowering Summers' logo on the decklid of the #98 K-Love Ford Fusion at Daytona International Speedway.
"It's hard to believe that we are closing in on a decade," said Victory Junction's Founder and Chairman, Kyle Petty, "I am incredibly grateful that Phil (Parsons) and K-Love were willing to help us celebrate this milestone by acknowledging Victory Junction on their Daytona 500 car. The support my family and camp has received from the NASCAR community since Adam's death continues to amaze me."
K-Love, the #98 team's primary sponsor, is not new to supporting the Randleman, NC-based camp. The contemporary Christian radio group adopted Victory Junction as one of its featured causes in 2012 highlighting the camp on their radio stations, website, and social media outlets. "Bringing partnerships like K-Love and Victory Junction together is one of the many great benefits of being a part of NASCAR," explained car owner Phil Parsons. "K-Love understands that for Victory Junction, every partnership is an opportunity to help broaden its donor base and assure continued interest in its mission." To date, 17,832 children and families have benefitted from the programming and love shared by the donors, volunteers and staff at Victory Junction. Beginning in June, another 1000+ campers will be empowered to reach beyond their illnesses and just be kids.(Phil Parsons Racing)(2-22-2013)

2013 silly season notes for #98-Michael McDowell / Phil Parsons Racing: Michael McDowell will return as driver of the #98 Ford Fusion to run the full 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. The #98 will run Roush Yates Engines and Gene Nead will return as the crew chief. K-LOVE radio will be back to sponsor the #98 Fusion in the Daytona 500 and potentially more races later in the schedule. Curb Records is returning as an associate sponsor for the season and will serve as primary sponsor at a to-be-announced event. See images of the #98 Ford on my #98 Team Schemes page. See more about other teams on my 2013 Team / Driver Silly Season Chart.(2-11-2013)

McDowell Returns To Sprint Cup Action in 2013: Michael McDowell is excited about what lies ahead in 2013. He announced that he will return as driver of the #98 Ford Fusion to run the full 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. McDowell's Ford will be fielded by Phil Parsons Racing with Roush Yates Engines supplying the power plant. Gene Nead will continue to call the shots for the team as crew chief. Sponsorship plans to cover McDowell's car are being pieced together. Positive, Encouraging K-LOVE radio will be back to sponsor the #98 Fusion at Daytona and potentially more races later in the schedule. Curb Records is returning as an associate sponsor for the season and will serve as primary sponsor at a to-be-announced event. The team is currently pursuing partners to fill the rest of the Sprint Cup Series schedule. "Everything is coming together for us to have a great season," McDowell said. "We have new cars, new bodies and lots of potential. Our team has really hustled over the off season to get us prepared for 2013. They've put together some awesome cars, and with Roush Yates horsepower under the hood, I know we can run with some of the best teams in the sport. I have a lot to look forward to this year and can't wait for the green flag in Daytona."
"I've never been more excited about the beginning of a season," team owner Phil Parsons said. "We have some great relationships that are continuing, as well as some new ones, which have us very optimistic about 2013. I want to thank K-LOVE, Curb Records, Hyde Park Storage Suites and Ford for all of their support. Their partnerships have allowed us to grow and develop as a team, and we look forward to a great year with them." This year marks McDowell's fifth year competing in the Sprint Cup Series. He ran in 30 of the 36 events last season, achieving a best finish of 23rd place, which came at Bristol Motor Speedway in August. McDowell competed in six Nationwide Series events last year, earning five top-10s and two top-fives, and one pole.(MichaelMcDowell.com/Breaking Limits)(1-14-2013)

Some rides for 2013 still up in the air: A year ago at this time, dominoes seemed to be tumbling all over the NASCAR world. Kurt Busch's departure from Penske Racing led to AJ Allmendinger's move from Richard Petty Motorsports to Penske, followed by Aric Almirola's move to replace Allmendinger at RPM. It seemed like there was a move or two every day, and the news was endless. This year? Not so much. Aside from a couple lower-series moves there haven't been many post-Homestead driver changes. [But there are some] possible open seats at full-time teamsBK Racing: There's no reason Landon Cassill and Travis Kvapil wouldn't return to BK Racing in 2013, but the team hasn't finalized its drivers for the #83 and 93 cars yet.Tommy Baldwin Racing: It seems likely #36-Dave Blaney will return next season, but it hasn't been announced.Phil Parsons Racing: Will Michael McDowell return to the #98 car? It hasn't been made official yet if so.FAS Lane Racing: Ken Schrader will be in the #32 car for select races, and the remaining schedule will be filled by yet-to-be-named drivers.Joe Falk Motorsports: Stephen Leicht won rookie of the year honors for the #33 car. The team's 2013 lineup has not been announced.Phoenix Racing: Will Phoenix Racing even come back in 2013? It's not certain team owner James Finch will return, and what driver will be behind the wheel if he does.(SBNation) See information on all Sprint Cup teams on the 2013 Team / Driver chart page.(12-18-2012)

K-LOVE Returns to the #98: With a little faith and some K-LOVE, Michael McDowell and his #98 Curb/Agajanian Ford are preparing to compete in Saturday night's Bank of America 500 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. McDowell will bring the K-LOVE car to the track for the eighth time this season. McDowell most recently piloted the #98 K-LOVE Ford last weekend at the Talladega Superspeedway where the team finished 31st. The team plans to go the distance again at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "We have had a lot of support from K-LOVE and all their listeners this season," said McDowell. "They have been a great partner of our PPR team because we all believe in the their positive, encouraging message. K-LOVE is a family friendly radio station and is safe for all ears, and this is important for me and my family. I'm proud to represent K-LOVE this weekend." K-LOVE is a network of listener-supported, Christian music stations across the country. Based in California, K-LOVE is a supporter of McDowell, who is an outspoken Christian. "I think we're very capable of having a great night on Saturday, but our weekend really starts on Thursday night," said McDowell. "We will be qualifying Thursday night and we need to put in a fast lap to secure our starting spot. Gene Nead and the boys have built me a fast Ford Fusion and feel confident that we can put up a fast time. The goal on Saturday night is to show everyone what this small PPR team is capable of. I don't think we have the resources to contend for wins, but competing in the top-20 is achievable for us and this K-LOVE team. We're the underdog, but we enjoy that role. We love surprising people and hopefully we can do that this weekend."(Breaking Limits)(10-10-2012)

Congrats: to #98-Michael McDowell and his wife Jami on the birth of their daughter, Emma James McDowell. McDowell announced the birth on twitter.(9-13-2012)

TRAQM.com to Sponsor #98 at Pocono: TRAQM.com, the leader in personal and business GPS trackers, announced sponsorship of Phil Parsons Racing's #98 Ford this weekend at Pocono Raceway. Mike Skinner will carry TRAQM.com's colors aboard his Ford Fusion in Sunday's Pennsylvania 400. TRAQM.com, headquartered in East Windsor, New Jersey, will serve as Skinner's primary sponsor with its logos on the hood, quarter panels and TV panel of the car. It will be TRAQM.com's first partnership with Phil Parsons Racing. "We're very excited to be a part of this sport and our partnership with Phil Parsons Racing," said Alfred Demola, president of TRAQM.com. "NASCAR racing is a great fit for us to showcase our products. Much like a race team, we want to gather and report as much information as possible about a driver's performance. Whereas a race team focuses on making its car go faster, we provide tracking and satellite technology that allows you to monitor a driver in your family or business. Whether it's to make sure your teen doesn't break the speed limit or stays within a certain range, or just verifying that your sales force are making all of their appointments on time, we will provide you with the most accurate and current information at industry-low pricing. We look forward to being a part of this team and the sport for a long time to come." "Everyone at Phil Parsons Racing is thrilled to have TRAQM.com onboard our Fusion this week at Pocono," said team owner Phil Parsons. "They're a perfect fit for NASCAR Racing. I know our fans will love their technology and what they offer. TRAQM.com is basically your full-time spotter when it comes to your family and your business. You'll know everything that's going on with their driving. I'm proud to have them on our car and look forward to racing with them this weekend." TRAQM.com is managed by a team of Parents and Business Professionals who saw a need to provide a real time tracking technology that anyone could use. The hard work of our team has brought the latest in technological innovation to you the end user consumer and business professional. More info at TRAQM.com.(TRAQM), see images of the scheme in my #98 Team Schemes page.(8-2-2012)

Bliss in for McDowell at Daytona: UPDATE: Due to the death of his father-in-law, #98-Michael McDowell will not race at Daytona this weekend. Mike Bliss will drive the Phil Parsons Racing Ford in his place.(7-3-2012)UPDATE: McDowell tweeted Saturday morning, "headed to [Daytona] to drive the #98 tonight. Thanks Bliss for locking her in.".(7-7-2012)

Harvick has stand-by for Sonoma UPDATE: in case wife Delana has the baby this weekend, #29-Kevin Harvick and team have a plan in case he has to leave the track, from a Team Chevy transcript:
Q) DO YOU HAVE A BACK-UP DRIVER THIS WEEK IN CASE YOU WERE TO HAVE TO GO HOME?Harvick: "We have some plans."
Q) (DAVID) MAYHEW IS THAT...?Harvick: "Yeah, David (Mayhew) went and practiced the car during the week this week, but he is running another car this week so if we have an issue we will address it when we get to that point with him."
Q) WILL YOU END UP HAVING ONE EACH WEEK UNTIL THE BREAK OR...?Harvick: "We don't plan to right now. It's just a long ways from home right now so we had to make an alternative plan."(Team Chevy)(6-22-2012)UPDATE: With his wife, DeLana, due to give birth to their first child in July, driver Kevin Harvick has made contingency plans to put someone else in his car if the need arises. David Mayhew practiced Harvick's #29 at Sonoma but he has his own car [#98 Ford] in Sunday's race. Harvick said the team will deal with the situation if he has to suddenly fly back to North Carolina. He doesn't plan to have a back-up driver at other events. "It's just a long way from home right now so we had to make an alternative plan," Harvick said.(Charlotte Observer)(6-24-2012)

Different driver in the #98 at Sonoma: David Mayhew will drive the #98 Phil Parsons Racing Ford in the Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma as regular driver Michael McDowell will be at Road America to run the Nationwide race for Joe Gibbs Racing. Mayhew is driving in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series this season and has experience in the Camping World Truck Series, more info about Mayhew at hometracks.nascar.com.(6-19-2012)

Fines levied against Parsons and Humphrey: The North Carolina Industrial Commission has levied fines against Phil Parsons and Randy Humphrey, owners of HP Racing [was #66], now Phil Parsons Racing [is #98], for failing to provide workers' compensation insurance for most of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Parsons, who also works as a television analyst for SPEED, and Humphrey were also ordered to pay medical bills and wages to an HP Racing employee who suffered a work related injury last summer. The commission determined that Parsons and Humphrey failed to have the proper workers' compensation insurance from February 11, 2011 - October 27, 2011. Workers' compensation insurance was obtained by HP Racing just five days before the claim was initially set to be heard before the Deputy Commissioner of the Industrial Commission. The Commission also determined that the HP Racing employee had sustained a compensable injury by accident during the non-insured period. The North Carolina Assistant Attorney General's Office, Fraud Unit was also involved in the claim against HP Racing,
HP Racing [#66] competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2011, entering driver Michael McDowell in 32 events and earning over $2.4 million in race winnings. The team changed names in 2012, becoming Phil Parsons Racing [#98], a joint effort between Parsons, Whitney Motorsports and new partner Mike Curb, owner of Curb Records. Humphrey formed his own team [#19] for 2012, joining forces with Mark Smith to form Humphrey Smith Racing, fielding cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for driver Mike Bliss. The injured HP Racing employee is still awaiting approval from Parsons and Humphrey for necessary medical treatment, as well as payment of his wages and related medical expenses as ordered by the Industrial Commission. The employee has been unable to work since his accident last summer - and is ineligible for unemployment compensation - due to his injury and physician's orders preventing him from returning to work or seeking employment.(motorsport.com)(6-13-2012)

Presbyterian Healthcare Partners with #98 team IMAGE added: Presbyterian Healthcare announced it will partner with Michael McDowell, driver of the #98 Ford Fusion. As part of the sponsorship, McDowell's car will exclusively sport the Presbyterian Healthcare logo during the Coca-Cola 600 race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Presbyterian is using the partnership as an opportunity to promote to a wide audience the importance of regular health screenings to save lives. The back of McDowell's car will publicize a Presbyterian website (www.HealthPitStop.org). The site helps people better understand which screenings they should have based on their ages and health history and how to access the screenings through Presbyterian Healthcare/Novant Health's programs. To formally announce the partnership, Presbyterian Healthcare, Phil Parsons Racing and Michael McDowell will host a news conference with a show car unveiling on May 21 at 1:00 pm/et at Presbyterian Hospital. After the news conference, McDowell will visit children at Presbyterian's Hemby Children's Hospital. The community can view the car at Presbyterian Hospital from 2-7 pm. The car will also be on display at Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville on May 22 from 2-7 p.m. and at Presbyterian Hospital Matthews on May 23 from 2-7 p.m. "Michael, who lives in Huntersville [NC], believes in what Presbyterian Healthcare is doing to help make our communities healthier. He has used Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville for care several times so this partnership is more personal for him," said Mark Billings, president and CEO of Presbyterian Healthcare.(Breaking Limits)(5-17-2012)IMAGE see an image of the car on the #98 Team Schemes page.(5-21-2012)

Curb Records, K-Love Radio Partner To Inspire During 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season: Curb Records, one of the world's leading independent music companies, has entered into a unique partnership with Christian radio network leader K-LOVE to bring an inspirational message to the fast track world of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012. The partnership utilizes its full-season sponsorship of the #98 K-LOVE Ford Fusion for Phil Parsons/Curb-Agajanian Racing piloted by fifth-year Sprint Cup driver Michael McDowell and focuses on the message, "Let It Start With Me," which was originally targeted by the recent Dove Award-nominated song of the same name by Curb Records' Christian band No Other Name. It's a campaign dedicated to bringing the inspirational theme of the Gospel to NASCAR with a message designed to encourage Christians to live out the reality of Jesus Christ in their own lives, as well as impacting their families and communities. A devout Christian, the 28-year-old McDowell is well known within the racing world for being a competitive young driver and for his open declaration of faith with an inspirational trackside program, "Finish a Winner." K-LOVE is marking its third season of partnership with McDowell. Headquartered in Rocklin, Calif., K-LOVE's Christian music is heard throughout the U.S. on more than 440 FM signals in more than 45 states. In an effort to expand on the new racing sponsorship of the #98 K-LOVE Ford and McDowell, the "Let It Start With Me" campaign strategy will include a series of faith-based trackside initiatives, including featured Curb artists participating in race-day events, prayer services and concerts.(Webster & Associates PR)(3-18-2012)

McDowell To Drive Phil Parsons Racing's #98: Fifth-year NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Michael McDowell will pilot the #98 Ford Fusion for Phil Parsons Racing (PPR) for the entire 2012 Sprint Cup season, it was announced today by PPR's Phil Parsons and new partner Mike Curb. Parsons, the former NASCAR driver and current television commentator on SPEED, merged the assets of his PPR team with Whitney Motorsports during the offseason in an effort to bolster his 2012 Sprint Cup effort. Curb, owner of Curb Records who also has long and successful history of race team ownership in the NASCAR and open-wheel ranks, among others, becomes a partner in the PPR effort for 2012. "Combining our efforts with Whitney Motorsports with the support of Mike Curb and having Michael (McDowell) behind the wheel of the #98 Ford means we'll open the season at Daytona better prepared than ever before," Parsons said. "We feel the timing couldn't be better for us to build this program into a proper Sprint Cup Series effort."
The #98 Ford Fusion will run with Roush Yates Racing power under its hood. The team will be headed by veteran crew chief Gene Nead, who has worked with McDowell in previous Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series efforts at PPR and Michael Waltrip Racing. "I'm particularly excited about this program for a number of reasons," Curb said. "The players who have come together to form this latest effort shows that it's built to succeed, and I'm glad to be a part of it. Michael is a tremendous driving talent and is a wonderful young man. He has a special interest in our Christian music operation at Curb Records and building partnership opportunities involving that segment of our business. It's truly exciting."
McDowell and Curb have already tasted success on the racetrack this season as the 28-year-old driver scored a podium finish in last month's 50th Rolex 24 At Daytona co-driving a Curb Records-sponsored Michael Shank Racing Ford. A second Curb Records-sponsored Michael Shank Racing Ford won the race overall. "This is the opportunity I've been looking for - to work with various Christian music outlets, Mike Curb and Curb Records, and our other partnerships that are taking shape," said McDowell, who has 84 Sprint Cup starts to his credit. "This opportunity will allow me to expand my brand and put me in a position to work with the types of companies I've been wanting to work with for a long time. On the racetrack, I'm excited about the chance to have my best NASCAR season ever." Specific partnership announcements involving the #98 Ford for PPR will be made in the coming days.(PPR)(2-16-2012)

Switches to #98: been told the team will switch from #46 [after merging with the #66 HP Racing team, and run the #98 Ford in 2012 with McDowell driving. Parsons and Dustin Whitney will be the owners, using the #46 owners points.(2-2-2012)

McDowell to announce 2012 plans soon: UPDATES: Add Michael McDowell to the list of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers planning to moonlight in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The current entry list shows Jamie McMurray, Juan Pablo Montoya and AJ Allmendinger in Daytona Prototypes and Michael Waltrip in a GT-class Ferrari. McDowell was introduced as one of the drivers for Michael Shank Racing's #6 Ford Riley DP. "I'm grateful I can do both NASCAR and run the Rolex 24," McDowell said. "It is a fun race. It's one race and a big race. It's exciting to get back behind the wheel of a DP car. I grew up road racing. To come back road racing is a lot of fun. It's a refresher, too. It reminds me where I came from and how it used to be for me. It's cool." McDowell said he's getting close to making an announcement about a full-time Sprint Cup ride in a few weeks. "I am going to switch manufacturers and I got a new partner onboard, too," he said. "We'll be talking about that soon. I will also be in the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide car for a handful of races. I'm excited about that."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-10-2012)UPDATE: McDowell says he'll be back in the #18 car in 2012 for five Nationwide races with plans for him to race at Road America, Watkins Glen, Michigan and Iowa twice. On the Sprint Cup side, McDowell says he'll be back full-time with Phil Parsons Racing (formerly HP Racing). He isn't sure what number he'll have this year, but he does know that they are making a change to Ford this coming season, powered by Roush-Yates engines. And they have found enough sponsorship to race the first five races of the season, rather than resorting to a start and park situation.(Yahoo Sports)(1-19-2012)UPDATE 2: According to the #46-Whitney Motorsports facebook page, "Whitney Motorsports has joined forces with Phil Parsons Racing to field a Sprint Cup car for Michael McDowell, we are remaining with Ford and are hoping for a great season and some sponsorship to join us here in 2012."(1-21-2012)

Whitney Motorsports moves, will have new crew chief: On #46 Whitney Motorsports Facebook it was announced that the team has parted ways with crew chief Tony Furr and moved to a new shop in Huntersville, NC and the team is in huge overhaul for preparation of the 2012 NSCS Season. Driver Scott Speed recently signed on with the #95 Leavine Family Racing Ford team to run 15 races for them in 2012.(12-15-2011)

Scott Speed Joins Leavine Family Racing: Scott Speed has joined Leavine Family Racing (LFR) for a limited 15-race NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule for 2012 in the #95 Ford. A veteran of all three of NASCAR's premier national touring series, Speed joins Leavine Family Racing after making 13 Sprint Cup starts with Whitney Motorsports' in the #46 Ford. Speed will be competing in his fifth Sprint Cup Series season. The California native competed full-time with Red Bull Racing in 2010; earning two top-10 finishes and leading 21 laps. "We are pleased to have Scott Speed join our team," team owner Bob Leavine said. "We, as a team, want to give Scott the equipment and the resources he needs to win - and that is what I believe he will do for us in return. Scott is a proven driver. He was the first American to race in Formula One since Michael Andretti and has a lot to offer our program as a teammate and a competitor."
Speed has made 18 starts in the Nationwide Series and 16 starts in the Camping World Truck Series over the past four years. He posted a truck series win at the Dover International Speedway in 2008. His best Nationwide Series finish came on the road course at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve last year where he placed sixth. Speed earned career first pole in the series in 2009. Speed began his racing career in Karting at the age of 10. Making his way through the open-wheel racing ranks throughout the West Coast, he made his Formula One debut in 2001. From there he has successfully competed in Formula One making 28 career starts before making the transition to stock-car racing in 2007 with the ARCA Racing Series.
The 28-year-old driver is thrilled to have the opportunity to compete with Leavine Family Racing. "I am excited to team up with Bob Leavine and his guys at Leavine Family Racing," Speed said. They have a solid group of guys working on the team and I think it will be a real fun deal. Our goal is to build this race team to become competitive. We know it will be baby steps, but we are all excited to get it rolling."(Leavine Family Racing)(12-14-2011)

Red Line Oil to Sponsor Speed at Talladega: the #46 Whitney Motorsports Ford driven by Scott Speed will be covered in "red and green" thanks to renewed primary sponsorship by Red Line Synthetic Oil, along with Green Stuff, at Talladega Superspeedway - for the Good Sam Club 500 on October 23. "The Whitney team ran really well at the spring NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Talladega, so we look forward to being fast again," said Red Line Oil Director of Sales and Marketing Cameron Evans. "Drafting this weekend is a bit of an unknown in with NASCAR's latest changes to the rules for cooling systems, but we know that Scott has raced well at this track in the past." Speed's is a good fit for Bay Area-based Red Line Oil, as the driver grew up nearby in Manteca, Calif. Speed started his career as a kart racer and scored many championships before driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 and Red Bull's NASCAR effort. Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp. manufactures more than 100 quality products for the automotive, racing, motorcycle, marine and industrial markets. Its complete line includes a wide variety of motor oils, gear oils, additives, and greases.(Whitney Motorsports)(10-22-2011)

Speed gets Chicago Sponsor: The #46 Whitney Motorsports Ford Fusion driven by Scott Speed will have a primary sponsor this weekend in Chicago, Red Line Oil. Green Stuff is also back on board. They will serve as an associate sponsor on Speed's Ford Fusion at the Chicagoland Speedway this weekend.(Speed PR)(9-14-2011)

#46 gets sponsor for Atlanta:Property Masters, long known for its speed in delivering quality renovation and landscape management services to residential and commercial properties, is teaming up with Scott Speed, who drives the #46 Ford Fusion with Whitney Motorsports. The Marietta-based property-improvement company is sponsoring Speed on Sunday, Sept. 4 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race AdvoCare 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. As a primary, one-time sponsor, Property Masters will be featured prominently on the hood, quarter panels and rear TV panel of Speed's car #46. "We look forward to the opportunity for Property Masters to get involved in the exciting sport of NASCAR," said Kyle Cooper, Property Masters' founder, president and CEO. "Partnering with Scott is one way we can help spread the word about what we do, and the benefits we offer," he said, adding, "But most importantly, this sponsorship gives employees the chance to attend the race, which is our way of thanking them for their continued loyalty. We look forward to a fun and productive weekend."
"I am super stoked to be teaming up with Property Masters," said Scott Speed. "I am glad to be representing such a successful company, and I am even more excited to show them what NASCAR is all about this weekend." Property Masters provides a broad range of property-improvement services throughout the Southeastern United States (Whitney Motorsports), see image of scheme on the #46 Team Schemes page.(9-2-2011)

Scott Speed in the #46 for rest of season: Scott Speed has signed on with Whitney Motorsports to run the rest of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) races in the #46 Ford Fusion. Speed has recently been driving the #37 Ford and has qualified for all three NSCS races that he has attempted. Speed also just came off of a sixth place finish for Kevin Harvick Inc. this past weekend in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Montreal. The #46 Ford Fusion, with the FR9 Roush Yates engines, owned by Dusty Whitney, plans to run the remainder of the races this season in the NSCS starting at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. "I really like Dusty and his guys," said Speed. "They work really hard with the little amount that they have. There is a lot of passion over here and I love how tight of a group we are, we are the underdogs and I love it."
"Scott has shown us what a tremendous asset he is," said Dusty Whitney, owner of Whitney Motorsports. "We are extremely excited about having him drive our car. He is a great guy with an amazing talent. We hope to make our mark before the season is over. We have sponsors lined up for Atlanta and Kansas, and are on the prowl for the other races. I feel that Scott and this team have a lot to offer anyone that wants to get into the sport of NASCAR." The #46 Ford Fusion sits outside the top-35 in the NSCS Owners Points, therefore Scott Speed will have to qualify the car at each race.(Scott Speed Facebook)(8-22-2011)

Darnell to remain in the #46: According to the Whitney Motorsports Facebook page, "Erik Darnell will be in the #46 for the remainder of the season, except at Watkins Glen. That driver information will come at another time."(7-20-2011)

Darnell in the #46 at New Hampshire: Erik Darnell will replace J.J. Yeley in the #46 Whitney Motorsports Chevy this weekend at New Hampshire. Darnell, 28, drove trucks and cars for Roush Fenway Racing from 2006 to 2010. Darnell won two races in the Camping World Truck Series and posted two top five finishes in the Nationwide Series in 2009. That same season, Darnell competed in seven races for Hall of Fame Racing. Whitney Motorsports team manager Tony Furr says Darnell will have his seat fitted in the car on Wednesday. Loudon marks the last week the team will compete in Chevys with Ernie Elliott engines. Furr plans on fielding Fords starting at Indianapolis with FR9 engines.(Fox Sports)(7-13-2011)

Pilgrim Driving for Whitney Motorsports at Infineon: As a "super sub" for regular Sprint Cup Series driver JJ Yeley, road course specialist and former 24 Hours of Daytona winner Andy Pilgrim will drive the #46 Red Line Oil Chevrolet for Whitney Motorsports in Sonoma this weekend. Pilgrim is a factory GM driver in the CTS-V Coupe for Cadillac Racing in the SCCA World Challenge Series, where he is a former series champion. Based in Boca Raton, Fla., Pilgrim has multiple IMSA Championships and nearly 500 race starts including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Pilgrim has a long history with Corvette Racing, where he was teammate to Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.(Kahn Media)(6-23-2011)

VZillion Signs J.J. Yeley: VZillion (VZIL), a social utility and lifestyle technology company, has partnered with NASCAR Sprint Cup and 2003 USAC Triple Crown Champion J.J. Yeley. As part of the agreement, VZillion will collaborate with J.J. to integrate his voice, his brand and his sponsors into the online platform the company is currently developing. This will enable Yeley to expand his reach among NASCAR fans, regardless of their location, and offer them exclusive news, videos, pictures as well as special promotions.
Launched by founder and CEO Antonio Collier, VZillion is building a breakthrough interactive platform that will provide users with a truly immersive and customizable 3D operating system and social network. VZillion will radically change the way consumers use the Internet by offering a centralized location to search and access content and services online as well as interact with other users, brands, and celebrities.
"We are thrilled that NASCAR star J.J. Yeley is partnering with us to further connect with his fans on the platform we are building," said Collier. "This partnership builds on VZillion's recent deals and advances our commitment to providing one of the boldest experiments in social networking, 3D, artificial intelligence and social commerce."
"Once I saw what VZillion was building and what their plans for our fans were, I had to be a part of it. To be able to not only reach my die-hard fans, but to reach NASCAR fans on a global scale is a vision I share with VZillion. As a startup, VZillion has the passion and energy needed to create some exciting opportunities in this exploding space. It is going to be great to have a place where we can work in collaboration with fans and brands and drive this to a successful finish", said Yeley.
VZillion, whose partners include multimedia talent and management company MBK Entertainment, former New York Knicks point guard and ESPN commentator Mark Jackson, pro skater Eli Reed and which staff includes artificial intelligence guru Ben Goertzel, is planning to launch its beta version later this year. VZillion, Inc. (VZIL) is a social utility and lifestyle technology company. Headquartered in Miami, FL, and with offices in Santa Monica, CA, VZillion is building an operating system for consumers' lives by leveraging context-based technology, rich media, new social media tools and next-generation artificial intelligence to create an immersive online platform that will provide users with a completely new way to merge their online and offline lives: a Web of OneT.
For more information, please visit: www.VZillion.com.(jjyeley.com)(5-10-2011)

Red Line Oil sponsoring Elliott at Talladega: For the second time this season, Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp. will be the primary sponsor of the Whitney Motorsports #46 Chevy Impala where it will be driven by NASCAR legend "Million Dollar" Bill Elliott at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Aaron's 499 at the Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 17, 2011. Elliott is subbing for full-time Whitney team driver JJ Yeley, who raced into the field at this year's Daytona 500.(Red Line PR)(4-16-2011)

Whitney Motorsports names Vegas sponsors: Espar Heating Systems is new to NASCAR and will again rejoin the #46-Whitney Motorsports team as an associate sponsor for this week's Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Espar is a leading manufacturer of heating systems for vehicles worldwide; the company also was on board for the Daytona 500. Another sponsor returning at LVMS is one of the most familiar names in NASCAR: the legendary "Lady in Black," Darlington Raceway.(PR)(3-2-2011)

Whitney Motorsports picks up Phoenix sponsor: After fighting the odds just to make the Daytona 500 and succeeding, #46-J.J. Yeley and the Whitney Motorsports team have spent the days following the Great American Race trying to come to grips with the disappointment of being the first car out in the biggest race of the year. Engine failure sidelined Yeley after just eleven laps, bring an end to his Cinderella hopes. But the team's run through the Gatorade Duel and into the field for the Daytona 500 didn't go unnoticed; AAMCO Transmissions joined the team for the 500 and liked what they saw, so much so that they've decided to come back on board for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.(PR)(2-25-2011)

#46 team gets sponsors for Daytona 500: Add J.J. Yeley [#46-Whitney Motorsports Chevy] to the list of drivers snaring sponsors for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500. The driver raced his way into the Daytona 500 through his qualifying race as he attempts to help build his organization. Now, he has secured sponsorship from AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care Centers for Sunday's season-opening race. Yeley is moving back into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full time. He suffered a career-threatening neck injury after crashing at a dirt track event at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., in 2009, but is back in the Cup ranks this year. "Having a race car that is fully decaled for the Daytona 500 -- our biggest race of the year -- is a huge deal," Yeley said. "We have to take every opportunity we can and maximize it so we can keep racing. This might mean we get to race at Phoenix."(PR)(2-20-2011)

#46 team gets sponsors for Daytona 500: #46-Whitney Motorsports' J.J. Yeley picked up sponsorship form Aamco Transmissions and Total Car Care Center for the Daytona 500.(SceneDaily)(2-20-2011)

Yeley back to Whitney Motorsports in 2011: J.J. Yeley will be running the #46 for us [Whitney Motorsports] next year full time in a Chevy.(Whitney Motorsports Facebook)(12-29-2010)

Penalties upheld against #46 team: On November 9, 2010, the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel heard and considered the appeal of the #46 Whitney Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team. The penalties concern Section 12-1 of the NASCAR Rule Book "Actions detrimental to stock car racing"; Section 12-4-J: "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the Race Equipment used in the Event does not conform to NASCAR Rules"; and Section 20-2.3A: "Unapproved added weight location and unapproved added weight. Lower A-frames were filled with weight pellets." This stemmed from opening day inspection for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway on October 29, 2010. The penalties assessed were:
- Loss of 50 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Car Owner points for owner, Dusty Whitney
- Loss of 50 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Driver points for driver, Michael McDowell
- $50,000 fine and indefinite suspension from NASCAR for crew chief, Thomas Tucker
- Indefinite suspension from NASCAR for crew member, Tony Furr
- Indefinite suspension from NASCAR for crew member, Richard Boga
The Appellants requested and were granted a deferral of the suspensions and fine until such time as this hearing could be convened. The Appellants acknowledged the part was clearly illegal. The Appellants contested the severity of the penalties.
The Panel found that the penalties were consistent for infractions of this magnitude. Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel to uphold the original penalties. The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer. National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel for this decision was: Russell Hackett, Dale Pinilis and Robert Yates. George Silbermann - Appellate Administrator and non-voting member.(NASCAR)(11-9-2010)

#46 Team Penalized For Infractions At Talladega: NASCAR has issued penalties to the #46 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a result of rule infractions discovered during opening day inspection Oct. 29 at Talladega Superspeedway. The #46 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR required rules); and 20-2.3A (unapproved added weight location and unapproved added weight - lower A-frames were filled with weight pellets) of the 2010 NASCAR rule book. Crew chief Thomas Tucker has been fined $50,000 and indefinitely suspended from NASCAR. Car chief Richard Boga and team manager Tony Furr have also been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR. Driver Michael McDowell and car owner Dusty Whitney have been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver and owner points, respectively.(NASCAR)(11-4-2010)UPDATE - Appeal: Whitney Motorsports will appeal the suspensions issued as part of its penalty for having weight pellets in the lower A-frames of its #46 Chevy on opening-day inspection last week at Talladega Superspeedway. The appeal will be heard Tuesday morning, team owner Dusty Whitney said Friday at Texas Motor Speedway. NASCAR issued indefinite suspensions to Sprint Cup Series crew chief Thomas Tucker, car chief Richard Boga and team manager Tony Furr. The suspensions have been deferred pending appeal. "They said indefinite on some of the suspensions of the team members, so I would just like a little more clarity and make sure it's fair," said Whitney, whose #46 entry has qualified for 19 of the 33 races and whose #81 car has qualified for the two races in which it has been entered. "[Suspending] the team manager, it hits hard a little bit on a small team that is struggling to stay alive. We've done a good job this year, I think, for NASCAR putting on a show. We're here to race and not to take NASCAR's money. We do have to stay inside their box and make sure we do things right."(SceneDaily)(11-5-2010)

NASCAR confiscates parts from #46 team: Talladega Superspeedway has always been a place where teams have tried to push the rules to the limits, as teams go in search of speed. Friday at Talladega, inspectors uncovered a new variation of an old trick, seizing a pair of unapproved lower a-arms off the #46 Whitney Collision Centers Chevy driven by Michael McDowell. The a-arms appeared to have been hollowed out and filled with tiny ball bearings, making them far heavier than normal. NASCAR apparently found out about it when some of the ball bearings fell out of one of the a-arms. The lower a-arms are located at one of the lowest points on the car. Adding weight there improves handling by lowering the car's center of gravity. It also allows the team to remove weight somewhere else higher up on the car. If NASCAR penalizes the team - and it likely will - expect the penalty to be handed out Tuesday.(SPEED)(10-29-2010)

Yeley to run at four of five final races: J.J. Yeley has announced his plans for four out of the five remaining races in the 2010 season as well as his intensions for 2011. Yeley will once again be behind the wheel of the #81 car for Whitney Motorsports at Martinsville (Dodge) and Phoenix (Chevy) and will pilot the #36 Tommy Baldwin Chevy at Texas and Homestead. That makes Talladega the only event left in 2010 where Yeley does not have a ride, something he is hoping to change should the right opportunity arise. This weekend at Martinsville will mark the final scheduled event for Yeley in a Whitney Motorsports Dodge as the team prepares to switch to Chevys. The potential that the change in manufacturer brings is exciting for Yeley as he returns to his hometown track in the Arizona desert. "I sat in the Phoenix Chevy this week. It's ready to roll and I'm looking forward to going to my hometown track with good equipment and good horsepower." As for 2011, Yeley said, "I'm hoping that I've proven that I can go out there and out-qualify some teams that have big funding with cars that at times, were viewed by some as obsolete. We've gone out there and run really good lap times. I'd love the opportunity to get back out there and race full-time and drive the complete race distance (see full PR at jjyeley.com)(10-22-2010)

Red Line Oil to Sponsor #46 Chevy at Martinsville: Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp. will be the primary sponsor of a NASCAR Sprint Cup car, the Whitney Motorsports Chevy Impala driven by Michael McDowell at Martinsville Speedway for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 24, 2010. This agreement continues Red Line's relationship with McDowell, who has driven under the Red Line banner in several NASCAR Nationwide Series races this season. "Martinsville is a great race to run with our driver Michael McDowell and a smaller team like Whitney Motorsports," said Red Line Oil president Tim Kerrigan. "On a short track like this, the cars spin the tires off the corner so spending big money on engines like the top teams really doesn't get you far. Dusty Whitney is a smart owner and Michael has the experience, so we're hoping for a little luck and to stay out of trouble until the end. Then, he'll stand on it!" Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp. manufactures more than 100 quality products for the automotive, racing, motorcycle, marine and industrial markets. Its complete line includes a wide variety of motor oils, gear oils, additives, and greases.(Kahn Media PR), see images of the car on my #46 Team Schemes page.(10-20-2010)

Yeley could run more races for Whitney: In an odd twist of events, J.J. Yeley was back driving for Whitney Motorsports at Dover, the very team that let him go just one month ago. On Friday, Yeley made the race driving the #81 Dodge, the team car to the #46 which he drove in nine events earlier this season. Yeley who is already scheduled to drive in four more races for Tommy Baldwin Racing, told the Frontstretch that both he and Whitney are hoping to work together for a few more races before the end of the season. Beyond this race, the team announced on Twitter they'll be running a second car for four of the final eight events in 2010, leading to an opening Yeley could fill down the stretch. When asked if there were any hard feelings between driver and owner, Yeley provided a very philosophical response. "After taking a step back and looking at it from Dusty's perspective, I understand why he had to make the decision that he did last month. It wasn't personal, it was business." As for the rest of the season, the driver hopes to continue to keep his name out there with the hope that something more permanent will develop for 2011.(Frontstretch)(9-27-2010)

#46 team penalized: UPDATE: Whitney Motorsports team owner Dusty Whitney's response to penalties levied against the team following post-race inspection of the #46 Dodge after the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: "I stand by NASCAR's decision in that they give us a box to work within and as competitors we are all expected to work within that box. However, I am extremely disappointed in that as a small team we outsource our engine building and we entrust our engine builder to ensure we meet the NASCAR parameters and engine requirements. By entrusting a third party that did not perform to NASCAR's standards our team is not only suffering a hefty financial penalty but we are also losing a valuable member of our team for six races along with a substantial loss of owner and driver points. We expect all of our vendors and outsourced suppliers to perform within the guidelines established by Whitney Motorsports and NASCAR and it is extremely unfortunate and costly when they do not." When NASCAR discovered the valves in the engine of the #46 Dodge to be below the mandated weight, Whitney Motorsports was penalized $50,000, driver Michael McDowell was penalized 50 driver points and owner Dusty Whitney was penalized 50 owner points. Crew chief Jeremy LaFaver has also been suspended from NASCAR competition for six weeks. That engine was acquired from Gillette-Evernham Motorsports and has since been rebuilt and updated by Arrington Engines.(Whitney Motorsports PR), have not seen an official release about the penalty from NASCAR.(9-21-2010)UPDATE: NASCAR has issued penalties, suspensions and fines as a result of rules infractions discovered this week during post-race inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center following last Sunday's race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The No. 46 team was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1, 12-4-J, and 20-5.8.4.C (engine exhaust valves did not meet the minimum weight requirement) of the 2010 NASCAR Rule Book. Crew chief Jeremy Lafaver has been fined $50,000, suspended from the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup events, suspended from NASCAR until Nov. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Driver Michael McDowell and owner Dusty Whitney have been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver and owner points, respectively. (NASCAR)(9-22-2010)

Yeley replaced by McDowell in the #46? Chevy? UPDATE3: have not seen anything 'official' but on J.J. Yeley's Twitter, Yeley says he is out of the #46 Whitney Motorsports Dodge Sprint Cup Series ride and Michael McDowell is in, starting at Atlanta Sept 5th. No word who will drive the #55 PRISM Motorsports Toyoya McDowell has driven most of the 2010 season. McDowell said on his Facebook that he will be releasing an update soon on his Sprint Cup plans as he doesn't want the rumor mill to get ahead of him too much.
and later Yeley added on his Twitter ""Went and got my stuff today from the Shop. Never heard from the owner at all. I guess they are getting New cars and Chevy engines. Must B nice", so the team may be switching from Dodge to Chevy?(8-24-2010)UPDATE: Michael McDowell will replace J.J. Yeley in the #46 Sprint Cup car for Whitney Motorsports, a team spokesman confirmed Tuesday.(SceneDaily)(8-25-2010)UPDATE 2: looks like Yeley will be in the #36 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevy at Atlanta per J.J. Yeley's Twitter.(8-25-2010)UPDATE 3: Michael McDowell will replace JJ Yeley in the #46 Whitney Motorsports Sprint Cup Series Dodge [and Chevy], effective immediately. McDowell told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that the opportunity to run complete races for Whitney Motorsports was a major factor in his decision to change teams. "That's the main factor for me," he said. "Prism Motorsports was great and I appreciate everything they've done for me this year. But Dusty's program will allow us to run full races, and that's huge. We'll run four or five full races the remainder of this season -- most likely Atlanta, Phoenix, Texas, Talladega and Homestead -- and we're committed to run 15 full races next year. We'll almost certainly run the first five races in 2011, then keep going as long as the sponsorship holds out, starting and parking when we're not fully funded." McDowell said team owner Dusty Whitney will partner with Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines for this season's remaining intermediate track events, fielding Chevys at Atlanta, Kansas, California, Charlotte, Talladega, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead. The team will continue to run Dodge Chargers at Richmond, Loudon, Dover, and Martinsville.(Sirius Speedway)(8-26-2010)

International Trucks returns to the #46: International Trucks back on board at The Glen: International Truck, a Navistar Company, is back on board with Whitney Motorsports for the second time in the 2010 season. International was also on board the #46 Dodge at the first road course race of the season at Infineon.(Whitney Motorsports)(8-6-2010)

Yeley gets a sponsor for Infineon: Whitney Motorsports #46 Dodge team says on their Facebook page that they have gotten a sponsorship for Sonoma. International Trucking is will be their primary sponsorship at Toyota/Save Mart 350 on the #46 Dodge that J.J. Yeley drives.(Whitney Motorsports Facebook)(6-18-2010)

Sponsor for Yeley at MIS: J.J. Yeley will roll off the grid 40th Sunday at Michigan International Speedway driving the Whitney Motorsports #46 TheSpeedPlant.com Dodge. It will be his fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start of the 2010 season.TheSpeedPlant.com has teamed up with Yeley and the #46 entry for this weekend's Heluva! Good Sour Cream Dips 400. Since JJ Yeley has got in the seat of the #46, they have made every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this season. The team, headed up by Tony Furr at the track, has been good out of the box allowing them to focus on fine tuning, ensuring they make the race once they get to the track. That consistency over the last several events has been noticed by TheSpeedPlant.com and was the main reason that they picked Yeley and Whitney Motorsports as a partner to promote the new site. The Speed Plant uses one of the world's most innovative methods of marketing and purchasing products and is designed to not only provide a great value but also great entertainment. Based on a unique software solution and business model, the company sells premium new brand-name products that all racers and race fans want at up to 97% off retail prices. Through a special promotion, TheSpeedPlant.com is allowing the race fans a chance to be a major partner on the #46 Whitney Motorsports Dodge. One lucky fan could have their likeness or message on the hood, quarter panel, deck lid or TV panel for the June 20th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota Save Mart 350 at Infineon Speedway in Sonoma, CA.(HighSide Media), of note, Yeley makes his 100th career Sprint Cup start at Michigan on Sunday.(6-12-2010)

#46 has sponsor for four races? UPDATE 3:Whitney Motorsports facebook page reports "We have a 4-race sponsor deal with major sponsor. Tracks are, Daytona, Brickyard, Phoenix, and Homestead-Miami." J.J. Yeley currently drives the #46 Dodge for Whitney Motorsports. No word on who the sponsor is. Also the #09 Chevy that Terry Cook is driving for Phoenix Racing is listed as the Whitney Motorsports Chevrolet on the entry list. The #09 team is up for sale, no word if Whitney Motorsports has bought it.(6-4-2010)UPDATE: a Whitney Motorsports rep denied the team has bought the #09 team and hase no plans to do so, the listing on Pocono's entry list was simply a mistake.(6-6-2010)UPDATE2: per Whitney Motorsports facebook page, the sponsor for those four races is Cash America.(6-8-2010)UPDATE3: Cash America announced a multi-race motorsports marketing program - a relationship where Cash America will participate in each of NASCAR's top three nationally touring series. Cash America will be the primary sponsor of a Sprint Cup Series team and a Nationwide Series team for upcoming events at Daytona, Indianapolis, Phoenix and Homestead. Cash America will also sponsor a Camping World Truck Series team for events in Nashville and Phoenix. For the final ten weeks of the season, Cash America will be a presenting sponsor for the syndicated motorsports news program Raceweek during its Southeastern broadcasts, focusing on coverage of the 2010 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Cash America will sponsor the Whitney Motorsports #46 Dodge Charger driven by J.J. Yeley in the Sprint Cup Series. Cash America will sponsor the Day Enterprises #05 Chevrolet Impala in the Nationwide Series and the Randy Moss Motorsports #81 Toyota in the Camping World Truck Series; both entries will be driven by David Starr.(Integrity Sports Management), the four scheduled Sprint Cup races are, Daytona in July, Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Homestead-Miami(6-8-2010)

Cook leaves #46 team UPDATE 2 Yeley In: per his Facebook page, Terry Cook announced - "Terry Cook, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender, is no longer with Whitney Motorsports effective immediately. Terry, who has been serving as Team Manager/ Driver, was uncomfortable with the direction that the team was heading towards and opted to leave the team." No word who will drive the #46 Dodge at Darlington.(5-3-2010)
UPDATE: per the Whitney Motorsports Facebook page, J.J. Yeley will drive the #46 Dodge at Darlington. This will be Yeley's first attempt in a Sprint Cup race since the 2009 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, when he tried to qualify Mayfield's #41 Toyota but failed to make the race.(5-3-2010)UPDATE: Whitney Motorsports announced yesterday that JJ Yeley will be in their Whitney Motorsports Dodge #46 Nascar Sprint Cup car at Darlington Raceway this weekend in the Showtime Southern 500. Yeley will be in the #46 for two races, Darlington and possibly Charlotte. If things go well more races could be added. JJ is excited to get back on track and give it all he's got to get the #46 a great finish.(JJ Yeley site)(5-4-2010)

Cook to support Autism Speeaks at Texas: Terry Cook is anxious to arrive at Texas for this weekend's Samsung Mobile 500 for at least three reasons: the first is he and the #46 Whitney Motorsports team is coming off their first Sprint Cup race in which they were running at the finish, a race in which Cook led a lap, at Phoenix; secondly is Texas is where Cook has more experience than any other in his Camping World Truck Series career and where he earned his first top-ten finish in 1998; and third he's excited at the chance to continue to spread the word about Autism awareness by carrying the Autism Speaks logo in front of a large audience. Cook has made 24 career Camping World Truck Series starts at Texas, with seven top-ten finishes (including his first career series top-ten in June, 1998). His best finish is sixth, twice (October, 1999 and October, 2008). Cook again will carry the Autism Speaks logo on the hood and TV panel of the #46 Dodge this weekend hoping to gain exposure during Autism Awareness Month.(Whitney Motorsports)(4-16-2010)

Said, Cook and Bliss just riding the wave for now: On the "other side" of the garage these first few races of 2010 are three drivers whose teams are in similar situations. All veterans, #26-Boris Said, #46-Terry Cook, and #26-Mike Bliss find themselves in a difficult position where funding wholly determines which races they run the distance in and which ones they park early.
Bliss has had funding on the #36 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevy from Wave Energy drink and is running the distance in those races, but since only half the races are funded by either Wave or other companies, he is realistic that he may have to begin start and parking. He says that he has no idea what Baldwin will choose to do in those races and that he will simply do what he is told. His start to the season has seen his Chevy show some speed, but the finishes have not backed that up after crashing in two of the first three events.
Boris Said's #26 Latitude 43 Motorsports Ford team, which bought the owner points from the now-defunct Roush Fenway #26 entry, is also locked into the first five races. While the team DNF'd at both California and Talladega, Said says Sunday's race in Atlanta should be different. "This weekend, we are planning on running the whole race. We've got a motor to run the whole race." Said also says that the team's future races depend solely on sponsorship.
Finally, Terry Cook, technically signed up to run for Rookie of the Year honors, has failed to qualify for three races in the #46 Whitney Motorsports Dodge. When asked if he would start and park his unsponsored entry if he made a race this year, he shrugged and said he would only do as he was directed.(Frontstretch)(3-6-2010)

New Cup team with Cook? UPDATE: not much info, but hearing that Terry Cook, who has mostly been running in the Camping World Truck Series since 1996 [314 starts and 6 wins], will be the driver for a new Sprint Cup team, Whitney Motorsports, who supposedly plan to run full-time in Sprint Cup with Cook driving the #46 Dodge. Cook would be the second rookie of the year canadidate, joining Kevin Conway. Been told the team has nothing to do with Carl Long's former #46 Dodge Sprint Cup team.(1-8-2010)UPDATE: NASCAR Truck Series Veteran Driver Terry Cook will be driving in the Sprint Cup Series this season. Terry Cook will drive the #46 Whitney Motorsports Dodge Charger for Michigan based business man, Dusty Whitney. Whitney, who previously fielded cars in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, decided to advance his ownership status to the elite Sprint Cup Series. "I love a good challenge! Success in business comes from setting high goals and achieving them. There is no bigger challenge in motorsports than to be a successful Sprint Cup Series team owner", remarks Whitney. The team will have to qualify into the first 5 races on speed with hopes of catapulting the team into the top 35 in points. "Terry did a fantastic job qualifying the #91 Nationwide Car last season and we are hoping for the same qualifying success in our #46 Sprint Cup Car", adds Whitney. Cook, who has competed in the truck series since 1996 and holds the record for the most consecutive starts in the series at 296, is ready to start building a stat sheet in the Sprint Cup Series. "It's always been my goal to advance my career to the pinnacle of our sport" notes Cook. "I am very grateful to Dusty Whitney for giving me this amazing opportunity". Cook will also be vying for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. Whitney Motorsports hired an accomplished Sprint Cup crew chief to head up the effort. Buddy Sisco joined the team and is excited for the potential this team has for success. "We are building this team from scratch. But Dusty (Whitney) has given us everything we need to make it successful. He has bought great race cars, hired a veteran driver, and allowed me to assemble a group of hard working guys". The team purchased several cars from Richard Petty Motorsports as a result of their merger with Yates Racing. "With their merger and our need for competitive race cars, the timing was perfect for us to be able to purchase these race ready Dodge Chargers". Whitney Motorsports does not have a primary sponsor heading into the season opener Daytona 500. "We would love to entertain any sponsor at any level" adds Cook, "I always tell potential sponsors that we have a program to fit any budget!"(Terrycook.com)(1-8-2010)

New Cup team with Cook?: not much info, but hearing that Terry Cook, who has mostly been running in the Camping World Truck Series since 1996 [314 starts and 6 wins], will be the driver for a new Sprint Cup team, Whitney Motorsports, who supposedly plan to run full-time in Sprint Cup with Cook driving the #46 Dodge. Cook would be the second rookie of the year candidate, joining Kevin Conway. No word if this has anything to do with Carl Long's former #46 Dodge Sprint Cup team.(1-8-2010)